“Storm’s passed. Snow’s falling, but it’s light. I think we could manage to get back to your place if your ankle’s up to it.” He grins at me. His smile unlocks something inside me, something I’ve buried deep down. Hope.
“My ankle can cope! And we’re going to have to start rationing food if we stay here much longer. Scamp’s almost out of steak treats.”
Flint laughs, a joyful, rusty noise that makes Scamp wag his tail. “Well, that’sdefinitelyan emergency! We can set out after breakfast.”
The world outside is a blur of white. Flint walks ahead of me with Scamp bounding alongside him. The drifts are almost up to my waist, but I follow the path Flint carves out in the snow. I’m just starting to recognize the trees when my ankle gives way. I nearly fall over, but Flint’s quickly alongside me, his arms wrapped around my body. Taking a shaky breath, I shake my head.
“I’ll be fine in a minute. It’s just weak.”
“No, it’s my fault. Too much, too soon.” He takes my backpack and slings it over his shoulder, then lifts me up in front of him, cradling me in his big arms.
I start laughing. “You have to stop picking me up like this.”
He smiles, shaking his head as he trudges forward in the snow. “You gotta learn how to let someone else take care of you, Pixie.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I think you’re used to being the one doing the caring. At the shelter, maybe with your family too. But everyone needs to be picked up occasionally.”
“Literally, in this case.” It’s hard to admit it, but he’s right.
My place comes into view and Scamp barks, rushing back and forth. Flint sets me gently down on the porch and hands me my pack.
“No lights on. Looks like your power’s out. I’m going to chop some firewood so we can get warm.”
“I have a generator, it’s around the back. It doesn’t start up automatically when the power goes out, you have to–”
“Good girl. I’ll get it running. You go inside.” He doesn’t wait for a reply, moving confidently through the snow to the woodpile.
I let myself in. It’s strange to be back in my cozy home, like I’ve been away for weeks, rather than one night. I feed Scamp, then wash myself quickly in cold water, put on a clean T-shirt, sweater, and jeans, scraping my wild hair back from my face.
The lights blink on as the generator powers up and I make a pot of coffee, wrapping my hands around the cup. I start a fire with the leftover wood in the basket, the flames leaping. My abandoned Christmas ornaments lie on the desk.
Flint comes in carrying more firewood. I put a plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies in front of him and hand him a cup. His fingers skate over mine, his gaze intense.
“Scamp and I are going to take a look down from the road, and see how blocked it is. I’m also going to try the firehouse again, see if I can get a message to them. Don’t want them thinking we’ve been buried in this snow, if Ember Heart didn’t manage to speak to them.”
I nod. I don’t want him to leave. I’m secretly wishing for more snowfall, or even another storm, so I can be trapped with him for longer.
“These the decorations you make? They’re lovely.” He walks over to the desk and picks an ornament up. It looks tiny and fragile in his calloused hands.
“Thank you. I’m behind on orders.”
“I guess we’re both in the holiday business. I pick up shifts at the Christmas tree farm sometimes. Tannen, the owner, was looking for decorations to sell alongside the trees, since so many people ask for them.”
“Oh, wow. Thanks for the tip!”
“My pleasure, Pixie. I can mention it to him. If we ever make it back to town, that is.”
I want to ask him if he’s desperate to get back, but I stuff a cookie in my mouth instead. Flint whistles to Scamp, grabs his backpack, shrugs on his coat, and quietly closes the door.
Sitting at my desk, I finish painting the ornament. What if he comes back and says the roads are clear? Will I ever see him again? I’ve managed to live in Snowflake Falls all my life unaware of his existence. Will we just pretend we don’t know each other?
After I’ve finished the final ornament, I make some chili. Flint and Scamp come inside as it starts to get dark, shaking off the snow on the porch before they enter.
“I could get used to this. Every time I go outside and come back, you’re making something that smells incredible.”
I smile. “Compliments will get you an extra generous portion.” Making the chili has made me hot, so I tug off my sweater.
